This year’s Chichester Harbour Race Week is set for August.
This year’s five-day event begins on 14 August and will again be hosted by Hayling Island Sailing Club, an RYA Centre of Excellence.
Hundreds of sailing boats will be fighting for line honours in their classes, making the regatta an unmissable sight for spectators – just as it has been since the first event nearly 60 years ago.
“Chichester Harbour is proud to be home to this world-class dinghy and keelboat sailing regatta again in 2023,” said Simon Radford, chair of Chichester Harbour Federation which organises Chichester Harbour Race Week.
“Our harbour is recognised as the busiest for dinghy and keelboat racing in the UK and possibly the world. Chichester Harbour Race Week is an important event in the local sailing calendar bringing all the harbour’s sailing clubs together for a real celebration of racing.”
Last year 375 boats crewed by almost 600 competitors from just under 50 sailing clubs from around the UK – including the 13 clubs in the harbour – competed for trophies. Another big turnout is anticipated for 2023 with many entrants already taking advantage of the ‘early bird’ discounted entry fee running to 30 June.
Large entries are expected in the Fireball, Finn, 29er, RS 200, 2000, Aero7,6&5, Solo, ILCA 6&4, RS Feva, RS Tera, Optimist & RS Elite classes, while other boats compete in a range of handicap fleets.
“From the Optimist, the entry class for youth racing, to the 24ft RS Elite three-man keelboat, there will be something for everyone. It will make great sailing and a wonderful spectacle for those watching from the shore,” added Radford.
Chichester Harbour Federation will celebrate its centenary next year. When it began in 1924 there were just four sailing clubs in the harbour and today the Federation coordinates racing between the harbour’s 13 active sailing clubs.
To find out about Race Week entry, go to https://chichesterharbourraceweek.sailevent.net/
